You must have visited the most famous valley of flowers Kaas plateau and the famous tableland of Pachgani … Both locations are blessed with natural beauty but cursed by the crowd !!! In fact from last year I do not suggest to visit the Kaas plateau to avoid rush & damage due to vehicles !!
But remember …. it’s Incredible India !! …. And do not forget that you are blessed with mystical Sahyadri mountain ranges where Kaas is not the only plateau of flowers 🙂 … But only difficulty is that Kaas plateau is reachable by motorable road and others not 🙁
So where is this [New] Valley of Flowers and is it easy to reach ?
My recommendation is to visit the [New] Valley of Flowers … Which is also most important historic place of Maharashtra …..
Raireshwar where you can see bigger plateau than Panchgani & at higher height !! If compared with Kaas it is almost equal in size and at slightly higher height. Look at below table which I have compared by net research ….
Size | Height above sea level | |
Raireshwar | ~ 994 hectare [11.44 x 1.2 kms ] | 4614 feet |
Kaas plateau | ~1000 hectare | 3940 feet |
Panchgani | ~26 hectare | 4550 feet |
What’s so special at Raireshwar ?
I think the most loved part of Raireshwar is numerous flowers around … Misty air … Cloud walks … Amazing lake views ….
Located towards the south west of Pune, near Bhor this is an ideal location for one day trek / trip or even night camping on your own or at home stays at fort top.
Since you have brand new road available till the foothill, you will be able to reach there in mere half an hour, second best thing is that all the difficult climbing part has been taken care by SBI & forest department by installation of stairs over rock patches. Even you can take your guests easily for a one day trek cum trip …
The deep valley views from top will be really exciting, high pinnacles will add the toppings, long trunks would make you feel to walk far and the lush green forest with numerous waterfalls around 🙂
All in one place history and nature together … Amazing package to get for in a day …
Just have a look at wikimapia map showing stretch of Raireshwar plateau ..
Now coming to the main historic part of Raireshwat .. this is THE place where the Famous King of Maharashtra … Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj took “Sacred Swarajaya Oath” at young age of 16 !! He took this sacred oath by dripping blood from his little finger on the shivlinga praying for his success to make Swarajya (Freedom land where people will rule) And I am sure everyone knows the golden words written in history of Maharashtra 🙂
Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj is known & respected for his ganimi kava fighting technique all over the world.
Best time to visit
During monsoon or winter season (I would say August to October)
Difficulty level
Easy [if you drive till foothill] – If you wish to enjoy waterfalls, you have to walk for certain distance towards village Korle [ask local people for the nearest waterfall]
Medium [if you park your car at Korle village, ~2 hours climb from base village Korle, advantage of this route is that you will enjoy walk through lush green road and enjoy waterfalls on the way.
What to see [see the forest department board photo below]
- Temple of Shambhu Mahadeo
- Mata Janani’s temple
- Gomukh Lake
- Aswal Lake
- Pandav Leni
- Get magnificient views around the plateau
- See Pandavgad, Vairatgad, Pachgani, Mahabaleshwar, Kolheshwar, Rajgad, Lingana, Rajgad,
Torna, Sinhagad, Vichitragad, Purandar, Rudramal, Chandragad and Mangalgad
How do I reach
Option 1 – Pune to Bhor via NH4, Head towards Korle village from Bhor (~30kms from Bhor Phata)
From Korle, drive to Bajarwadi, the base village for the trek (~10 kilometers)
Option 2 – From village Korle, take right turn, after @ 1 kilomter rough patch, you get brand new road till foothill of Raireshwar
Option 3 – Drive down to foothill from Panchagani [via Dhom dam]
Option 1 & 2 bonus – On the way village Korle, visit Nageshwar temple and a hanging bridge [built in 1936] in Ambavade village
Food & Water
Call on phone number below to inform if you wish to take home food. [this is because villagers need to buy vegetables from Panchgani so if you do not infor you will have to eat only Zunka] You get Nachani Bhakar and Zhunka with red chilli chatani.
Also please note that since this is sacred place, you are not allowed to take non-veg food anywhere on the plateau, please respect the place.
Where do I stay
There is huge shade which can accommodate 50 people very easily,but its open
OR
Village people has build halls where you can stay at very nominal rate.
Also some of them has dome good toilet provision 🙂 so no issues for ladies, just check before you finalize your stay
Contact of local villagers
Tanajee Jangam 8689966672, 8552972862, 9221324015, 7798732794 (good toilet facility)
Dagadu Jangam 9322761153, 9220152743
Gopal Jangam 9822887057, 9370717634, 9325826441, 9764319991
(Already they have told that all phone numbers may not work so you have to try all !)
If you are still interested in visiting Kaas Do read my complete experience
You can also plan Kenjalgad and Rohida by camping at Raireshwar
Mahesh sir, excellent post………giving detailed info abt Raireshwar! Just to add, if one wants to visit ther for d sake of waterfall, period starting from aug-dec is good otherwise, nov to feb is best season for d other site seeing as, we all missed the view from atop of raireshwar ………like valleys, other forts!
thanks for your post!
Wav….Superb blog Mahesh…Yes, Its historic beautiful place & to be visited multiple times 1) During monsoon for waterfall & mist, 2) Just after monsoon for carpet of flowers and 3) in winter for sighting dozens of forts & valley sightseeings & for chilled fresh air of course…..
Congrats Mahesh.
{NEW} Valley of flowers,aptly described.let this new nomenclature be the lasting & permanent.the nature is having serenity.excellent and complete trek unfolded in my memory.keep trekking and blogging,will love to follow those treks.???????????
MAHESH SIR,
Superb details of Raireshwar,with beautifully captured pics.Though I was in the trek but many details I came to know after going through this blog.Raireshwar was really and mesmerizing spot with lots of natural beauty.And as you said rightly Raireshwar is indeed a new valley of flower near pune.
Thank you Rashmi,
I am planning to visit Raireshwar again during September to see the flower bloom, instead of going to Kaas plateau.
Dear, Mahesh
Good Information given & in Sep. we will go to Raireshwar for one day Halt… Its Nice Place–
Thax. for Good Sharing—
Excellent / Informative detail related to the trek..
I’m YHAI member and residing at Indore, MP. I found this blog very much useful with A2Z details that one can visit this place easily.
Keep penning down your experience and be the torch bearer !!!
Very well written and very informative. Enjoyed this e-trek which motivated me to visit the place. 🙂
You are writing fantastic reviews of all treks